San Giorgio for excellent views and other Venice, Italy Things to Do Tips

When we were in Venice the Campanile in St Mark's square was closed, so we decided to take the short trip across the lagoon to San Giorgio and take in the views from the Belfry there instead, and it was certainly worth it.
San Giorgio is well served by a number of water buses leaving from the St Marks area, we actually caught ours from San Zaccaria. The buses leave every 10 minutes, and for a one way trip it will cost E3.50, although a travel pass usually works out cheaper.
It only takes about 5 minutes to cross the lagoon, and you land right in front of the San Giorgio church.
The church itself is well worth looking around, but for a couple of euros I'd definitely recommend going up the belfry. There is a lift. You are escorted up by a little monk, who then leaves you to your own devices.Taking in the views across to the main San Marco area and in every other direction too is not to be missed experience.
Be warned though, the bell does ring, and when it does, you feel the vibrations go right through you.

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Directions: Take the 82 from San Zaccaria.

The Doge's palace is as opulent on the inside as it is stunning on the outside.
Walking around the corridors and apartments you get a true understanding of the history of Venice. Don't expect to rush around in a few minutes as there is alot to see and read about on the information boards in each room.
They also do an audio tour which is probably good.
The highlights were the Golden staircase, the Great Council Chamber, and the prison, reached by crossing inside the Bridge of Sighs.
The ticket also entitles you to 3 other museums, but we didn't have time to visit them.
They are the Museo Correr, Museum Archeologico & Biblioteca Marciana.
The ticket costs E11.00

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Address: Piazza San Marco
Directions: The entrance is on the waterfront side of the building.

We weren't sure about this museum, as I can't say Modern Art really does it for me, but we kind of stumbled across it so thought we'd give it a go, especially as it was -1 degrees out side.
It costs E10.00 each, and there is a courtyard with sculptures, along with various galleries and also a waterfront courtyard with views of the grand canal.
Some of the paintings are nice, but alot of it is abstract, which you either love or do not, myself falling in the latter category.
However, we had a nice wander round, and also heard a talk about the life of Peggy Guggenheim, which seems to take place a few times a day and is worth catching if you can as it seems she led a very interesting life.

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Phone: 041 2405411
Address: Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, 701 Dorsoduro
Directions: Catch a water bus to Salute from where it is signposted, or catch the Traghetto from the San Marco side.
Website: www.guggenheim-venice.it

Probably the most famous sight in Venice, and a must-do on anyone's list.
The piazza itself wasn't quite as big as I'd imagined, although perhaps that was because much of it was hidden beneath pigeons.There is alot of building work going on in the square which is a shame as some of it is shrouded behind a large picture of Big Ben (?) which looks quite odd in our pictures.
Something less obvious would have been nice, but I guess there was a reason behind it.

However, the basilica is stunning, both outside and in.
Sadly the Campanile was closed for maintenance which was a shame.

The first day we went to the square it was quiet, probably due to the freezing temperature, but the second time it was far busier, and I don't think I'd enjoy the crowds in summer.

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Directions: Just follow the crowds

After St Mark's square, the Rialto bridge is probably the most recognisable image of Venice. I know people who've been here in Summer and have had to queue to get on to the bridge, but we had no such problems due to the -2 temperature and drizzle.
The bridge itself it mightily impressive, although the graffiti on one side and the large advertising banner draped off the other side detracts from the beauty slightly.
This is also where we got our first view of the Grand Canal which was spectacular, a high street on the water.
There are plenty of gift shops in the area and it's only a 10 minute walk from St Mark's Square through a series of narrow alleys, but I think the best way to see it is probably from the water on a water-bus or gondola.

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The Rialto Market is on the Santa Croce side of the main Island, straight across from the Rialto bridge.
Initially there a number of gift and craft stalls, and then by the waters edge are the fruit and fish markets.
The whole area is a hub of activity and it great fun walking around checking out the produce.
There is also a traghetto which is only E0.50 to cross to the other side on which is a bargain.
Definitely worth a visit before carrying on to wander around San Polo or the Cannaregio districts.

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Directions: Straight over the Rialto bridge from the main San Marco area.